HIV treatment
Keeping HIVHIVA virus (human immunodeficiency virus) that affects the natural immune system. When someone…Read more under control
HIV is incurable but you can keep it under control with medicines. If you have HIV and quickly take the right medicines, you can lead a normal life. You will not get AIDSAIDSThe late stage of HIV. The immune system of someone with AIDS is…Read more and you can even live as long as someone without HIV.
There are many different medicines you can take. The HIV counsellor decides with you which are the best medicines for you.
HIV medicines can have side-effects. Talk to a HIV counsellor about these. Usually, the side-effects can be treated. Do not change the amount and do not stop taking your medicineMedicineMeans of curing an infection or a disease. Antibiotics for example are medicines.Read more.
Man taking HIV medicines.
Taking medicines strictly as prescribed
The medicines only work if you take them exactly the way the doctorDoctorSomeone who is trained to cure sick people. Doctors can prescribe medicines. A…Read more tells you to.
- You always take the right amount of the medicines;
- You take the medicines every day;
- You always take the medicines at the same time of day;
- You always take the medicines in the right way, depending on the medicines that you are prescribed. For instance: with or without food.
- Never stop taking your medicines without talking to the doctor responsible for your treatmentTreatmentCare and/or follow-up by a professionally trained person. Treatment can be given with…Read more, or the HIV counsellor. The treatment may stop temporarily and have a reduced effect.
Doctor showing his patient a prescription.
No longer any riskRiskPossibility that something unpleasant may happen, for example a disease.Read more of infectionInfectionInfection occurs when a germ enters the body and causes damage. A germ…Read more
If you take your medicines correctly every day, the amount of HIV in your bloodBloodRed fluid that has important functions in the body, for example: carrying oxygen…Read more (viral loadViral loadAmount of HIV in the blood. If the viral load is high, HIV…Read more) will reduce. After a few months, it can often no longer be detected, though the virusVirusVery small particle that can invade the body. It multiplies easily in the…Read more is still in your body. There is then almost no risk that you will infect someone else.
HIV in a relationshipRelationshipWhen 2 people are in a relationship, they have a bond with each…Read more
You can have sexSexAll acts that can sexually arouse you. Sex is more than sexual intercourse.…Read more without a condom with a partnerPartnerPerson you are in a relationship with.Read more who does not have HIV:
- If you take your HIV medicines correctly every day, and
- If, for at least 6 months, your viral load can no longer be detected, and
- If your viral load was checked less than 6 months ago;
- If you have no other STISTISTI means sexually transmitted infection: an infection that is usually only transmitted by…Read more and the mucous membraneMucous membraneA very thin layer of skin (membrane) on which there is a thick…Read more of your mouth, anusAnusOpening between the buttocks where faeces leave the body.Read more, penisPenisMale sexual organ. The penis is used for sex (ejaculation) or to urinate.Read more or vaginaVaginaPart of the inner sexual organs of a woman. The vagina connects the…Read more is not damaged.
Talk to your HIV counsellor and to your partner if you want to have sexSexAll acts that can sexually arouse you. Sex is more than sexual intercourse.…Read more without a condomCondomCovering of thin rubber that a man wears over his erect penis. A…Read more.
Couple talking.
Talking to a doctor
You can freely talk to doctors and nurses. HealthHealthFeeling physically, mentally and socially well in your environment. Health is more than…Read more professionals do not give any information about you to anybody else. They are obliged by law to respectRespectFeeling of appreciation for a person. If you respect another person, you think…Read more your privacyPrivacyRight to give information to someone without this person passing on this information…Read more.
Woman talking with a doctor.